Schizophrenia has been classified as a psychotic or serious mental disorder that is characterized by frequent episodes of delusions (false beliefs), auditory and visual hallucinations, irrationality, bizarre interpretation of reality and a disconnect from it, and extremely disordered thinking — all of which incapacitate the individual and impair their daily functioning.
A combination of psychotherapy, family therapy, counseling, and medication can prove to be very effective in arresting the severity, intensity, and frequency of the disorder.
The following bestsellers can throw more light upon the nature of the illness and help to be better informed about schizophrenia which is as devastating to the family and loved ones, as it is to the patient.
1) Surviving Schizophrenia, 7th Edition: A Family Manual
Author: E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.
Print Length: 528 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial
The book is a standard reference on schizophrenia, and has helped thousands of patients and their families, and mental health professionals ever since its first publication in 1983. The author describes in plain language the etiology, symptoms, and existing treatment modalities for schizophrenia. The book explores what it is like to live with schizophrenia from the perspectives of both the patient and their family. The 7th edition is about the latest research findings, and newest drugs and addresses frequently asked questions in clinical settings.
A hands-on guide for those afflicted by the illness and their caregivers, the book covers every aspect of schizophrenia and sheds new light on this often-misunderstood condition.
2) Malady of the Mind: Schizophrenia and the Path to Prevention
Author: Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D.
Print Length: 528 pages
Publisher: Scribner
The book busts prevalent myths and misconceptions surrounding schizophrenia, the most common being that there is no permanent cure or treatment for the ailment. Contrarily, today’s treatments have the potential to be game-changing and life-saving. Lieberman is a renowned psychiatrist who pens down dramatic patient profiles and clinical experiences to impart a revolutionary message of hope. He goes on to mention that for the first time in clinical history, we can effectively treat schizophrenia, limiting its disabling effects, and even preventing its onset entirely.
Dr. Lieberman has drawn heavily on his four-decade career to illustrate the past, present, and future of this devastating illness. Informed by years of extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Lieberman explains that centuries of stigma combined with misguided legislation and healthcare policies have obstructed scientific advances and clinical progress. Despite this, there’s reason to cheer and look forward to the future with hope and optimism, combining medication with psychosocial services. Doctors can now not only successfully treat schizophrenic patients and limit the progression of the illness but also prevent onset and relapse.
The book is a must-read for mental health professionals, fans of medical histories, and those affected by the disorder.
3) The Complete Family Guide To Schizophrenia
Authors: Kim T. Mueser (Ph.D.), Susan Gingerich (MSW)
Print Length: 480 pages
Publisher: The Guilford Press
The book highlights the most persistent thought that ails most caregivers of schizophrenic patients — will they ever get better? Truth is — they can and often do get better with vast improvements in their condition provided they receive active support and care from family and the significant people who matter a lot to them. The authors of the book are noted therapists who attempt to widen your understanding of the illness and cover a wide range of effective treatments. Intensive research and first-hand experience in dealing with such patients have granted them the wisdom to share skills required to manage psychotic depression and other disturbing symptoms of the illness.
The book is an effective guide for primary caregivers and trains them how to prioritize needs, resolve everyday problems, and help their loved ones to set life goals. There are individual sections that highlight special issues for parents, children, siblings, and partners. Discover innovative ways to handle challenges that arise over the course of treatment, and learn to reduce the chances of relapse while making friends and finding work. With love, hope, and realistic optimism, you can strive for a richer and more rewarding life.
4) The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Schizophrenia
Author: Dr. Hayden Finch
Print Length: 97 pages
Publisher: Independently published
Understanding a complex and psychotic disorder like schizophrenia can never be easy. It has many layers and shades that the reader will have to delve into to get to the crux of the problem. The author has attempted to present the aspects of the illness in simple and lucid language to make the content accessible to the layperson seeking information about the disorder.
The book attempts to outline — medical information we have about schizophrenia today, the nature of a psychotic disorder, an understanding of the neuroscience of psychosis, prevalent treatment methodologies, and the importance of early intervention. The book details how you can survive schizophrenia. Irrespective of who is reading the book —- whether it is someone who is looking for help for a loved one or one who is afflicted with the disorder him/herself, this book is here to give you insight into psychosis and emotion, psychotic depression, and psychotic reactions.
The book is divided into three parts — the first deals with the definition of schizophrenia, its symptoms, and its relationship to other psychotic disorders. The second part deals with the primary causes of schizophrenia, the risk factors, and how it impacts the brain — detailing genetics, brain structure, brain function, brain development, and drugs. The final part talks about the evidence-based treatment of schizophrenia, different treatment models, and the importance of medication, skills training, psychotherapy, and family intervention.
5) A Road Back From Schizophrenia: A Memoir
Author: Arnhild Lauveng
Amazon Price: $16.99
Print Length: 192 pages
Publisher: Skyhorse
Written memoirs and first-hand accounts of patients of schizophrenia, their struggles, and victories are more credible than those written from the perspective of the healer. Lauveng suffered from the illness for 10 crippling years — the times that were filled with intense pain and horror requiring frequent hospital admissions over relapse episodes.
The book is insightful as it gives the audience a peek into the life of a schizophrenic — her loss of identity, her sense of being controlled from the outside, and her descriptions of terrifying hallucinations. The author uninhibitedly talks about the times of painful humiliation she suffered on account of thoughtless and insensitive remarks by medical professionals. At the same time, she elaborates on how difficult schizophrenics can be, talking about their irrationality and sudden violent outbursts.
At the time of diagnosis, she was told that she will have to live with the condition life-long. Today, however, she calls herself a “former schizophrenic”, who is out of medication and is currently working as a clinical psychologist. She, however, attributes the miraculous recovery to the dedicated efforts of the medical staff who saw her as a person simply diagnosed with an illness — not the illness incarnate.
